Can great SAT II and AP scores make up for mediocre SAT scores?

koolmaria139 · 07-11-2007, 08:47 PM

^^
Subject tests
US History 760
Biology 760
Literature 610

AP exams
US History 5
World History 5
Biology 5

SAT
CR 660
Math 590
Writing 700

I took the SAT twiceI know standardized test scores are not all colleges look at, but I'm just wondering.

FredFredBurger · 07-11-2007, 09:04 PM

In short...no. They cannot make up for mediocre SAT scores. Try the ACT.

llpitch · 07-11-2007, 09:17 PM

No. Schools don't even care about AP scores and that Lit SAT2 isn't even that good.

huskem55 · 07-11-2007, 09:23 PM

you can at schools that will accept the SAT-IIs instead of the SAT

researchmaven · 07-12-2007, 08:06 AM

Definitely try the ACT. It's has similarities to the SAT IIs and you may do very well on it.

koolmaria139 · 07-12-2007, 12:29 PM

Well I'm still studying for the SAT's this summer and retaking in October. I just don't feel comfortable delving into a new test (ACT, I mean) the fall of my senior year. I guess I should rephrase my question. I was just wondering how colleges assessed SAT's and SAT II's, that is if they are on the same level.

llpitch almost all of the schools (except two) that I am applying to require only two Subject tests, so my Literature score doesn't really count.

knightshield · 07-12-2007, 12:35 PM

I don't know what schools you are applying too, but assuming top 50, a 1950 isn't a good place to start in the admissions process. Since you are retaking, aim for a score above 2100+. Even over 2000 would be a psychological good move.

BLY · 07-12-2007, 12:39 PM

No. And those aren't great SAT II scores either.

koolmaria139 · 07-12-2007, 01:04 PM

Thanks, I know that a 1950 is not a great score and the title of this thread states that. I am aiming/studying/praying for 2050-2100 come October, but as we all know test scores are not everything. I just want to put myself in better standing by upping my score 100 points or so.
The reason I started this thread was to ask if SAT scores and SAT II scores are on the same level? Or is one more important than the other? In other words, if a school asks you to submit subject tests, do they equally consider SAT I and SAT II tests.
lilpich, if schools don't care about AP scores why do they ask applicants to report on the college app. Admission officers consider AP scores because they display mastery of a specific subject. Good scores can only help an applicant

BLY, I did not mean to say that my SAT II scores were spectacular( I didn't get any 800's, lol). I meant that they were great compared to my SAT I scores. Sorry if you misunderstood me.

ParentOfIvyHope · 07-12-2007, 01:22 PM

I think your SAT II along with your AP scores will overcome your SAT I scores. Most of us on CC think of schools that are in top 20 - 30, so that is why you got bashed. But if you are applying to UC (University of California) with 2 SAT IIs Subject tests (US History 760, Biology 760) and your AP and SATI 1950 then you have a very good chance at UC D, UC I, UC SB.

And your two SAT II scores are great as anything > 750 put you in the top bracket for SAT IIs. So work on your SAT I and one more SAT II if you want to have a good shot at top 30 colleges.

koolmaria139 · 07-12-2007, 01:48 PM

ok thanks, ParentofIvyHope. Most of the schools that I am applying to are in the top thirty (except 2 in state public U's) I am studying this summer to reach my SAT goal. Anyone else have any comments?

ParentOfIvyHope · 07-12-2007, 02:16 PM

^^^ In that case you need to increase your SAT I > 2100 and 3rd SAT II > 700 for schools between top 20 to top 30 with CMU/UCB/UCLA being in top 20 replacing the US News ND, Rice, VB.

For top 20 shoot for SATI > 2200 and the third SAT II > 750 to have a good shot.

tux08902 · 07-12-2007, 03:09 PM

You can't just generalize like that, ParentOfIvyHope.

Basically, build the best application you can. I would retake those SATs. I wouldn't worry about your SAT IIs as you already have two scores over 750, and most schools usually only ask for two. Write good essays, and leave the rest up to the adcoms. There is nothing more you can do past that.

Chedva · 07-12-2007, 03:09 PM

SAT Is and IIs are not considered on the same level as far as I know. The SAT Is are more important.

There are 2 reasons for that. First, all applicants take the same SAT I, whereas they have their choice of SAT IIs. So they can be compared only across the SAT I. Second, SAT I scores are those reported to the ranking companies and the ones shown in the Common Data Set and on the schools' websites. Improving the middle 50 percentile of the SAT I improves a school's "selectivity"; improving the SAT IIs does nothing for the school's image.

tux08902 · 07-12-2007, 03:12 PM

A lot of the times, you have to take SAT IIs just because they are required. So, any score that shows you know the material decently well is enough. I mean, if you look at ED/RD results on the Ivy League forums, you'll see people getting in with competitive SAT scores. However, out of those accepted and rejected, they still had a very broad range of SAT II scores. Some people have scores in the 700+, 750+, 650+. I've even seen an acceptance of a person with a 580 on a subject test and really high SAT get accepted to UPenn.